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TORONTO - Two weeks into training camp, Raptors All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan hasnt missed a beat, picking up where he left off following last years breakout campaign. His conditioning, confidence and leadership qualities have caught the attention of Dwane Casey and the rest of the coaching staff, something the 25-year-old credits to his eventful off-season. With his sixth and most important season around the corner, DeRozan looks back at what he is calling the busiest summer of his life, capped off by a character building experience representing his country and helping Team USA win gold at the FIBA World Cup. DeRozan shares the highs and lows of his experience, including his toughest moment - watching Paul George suffer a gruesome leg injury, recalling what that moment was like for him and his teammates. He also has strong words for those who believe the risk of lending NBA players to international competition outweighs the reward. You can listen to the full interview HERE. Below is a transcript of the conversation. TSN.ca: DeMar, for you and Kyle both it seems like youve hit the ground running, a seamless transition from the season to playoffs to the summer and now to camp. How important has it been for you, not just this year but throughout your career, to make sure youre in game shape when you come into camp each season? DeROZAN: Its definitely important, man. Its big because me personally, I never like playing catch-up. Id rather do that on my own time, when I first start working out after the season. Me and [Lowry] understand we carry a big load and weve got to lead by example. So if we come into training camp out of shape or whatever, its going to look bad and might carry over for the rest of our team. Weve got to push them and show them were working extremely hard. Weve got to be the toughest dudes out there when it comes to working hard. Thats our mindset and its been going well. TSN.ca: Is that something youre making a concerted effort in doing during the summer, making sure youre always in game shape and ready to go? DeROZAN: Yeah, because I learned something new last year, me personally. To be prepared for the playoffs you have to really take care of your body, really be in shape, playing an extended, longer season than Im usually playing. So this summer I really stepped up my conditioning, weight training, understanding Ive got to get a lot stronger come March, April, going into the playoffs. So just a learning experience, things you go through. TSN.ca: Did it feel like it was a busier summer for you this year? DeROZAN: Yeah, for sure. I had a lot going [on]. I was in Vegas for a while, doing the [USA] training camp so this technically feels like my third training camp throughout the summer. Its definitely been a busier summer but in a good way. I competed with a lot of great players and teamed up with a lot of great players who I can learn a lot from and I think its just carrying over. TSN.ca: Is there anyone specifically on that USA team, either a player or coach, that you took a little more from, on or off the court? DeROZAN: Not just one person in particular. I think just being around 11 top players in our league for a month and a half and learning from them, day in and day out, really played a big part in mental focus and really changing my approach to the game more. TSN.ca: You had been involved in the USA program previously with the select team, how was this experience different for you? DeROZAN: Actually winning a gold medal and being on the actual team, instead of just being one of the guys trying to make the team, I feel like I just took that next step. Thats what it was all about, why I did the select team in the first place and it was an honour being a part of it because I got the opportunity to win a gold medal at a high level. TSN.ca: I imagine one of the toughest parts of the experience was being there and seeing Paul Georges devastating injury, do you remember what that moment was like? DeROZAN: Yeah, it was just a dead moment. A real dead, sad moment. Just to see anybody get hurt like that, because he was a close friend of ours and that type of player. Im a good friend of Paul and just to see somebody go down like that and have to miss a whole season is definitely sad. TSN.ca: I think a lot of people would acknowledge that a freak injury like that can happen anywhere, at any time but some might make the argument that its too big of a risk and NBA players shouldnt be allowed to participate in international competition. What would you say to those people? DeROZAN: Nah, man. You can slip down the stairs and hurt yourself. It dont mean nothing. Thats all bull crap, honestly, when people say that because when you have the opportunity to do something that you might never have in your life again, why not do it? TSN.ca: For you, what did you take out of that experience that you wouldnt have had you not been on that team, playing for your country? DeROZAN: Man, I couldnt even explain it in words, honestly. It was so much. It was just life, you know what I mean? Overall, when it comes to life and basketball, your personal life, everything. You go through so much and you see something new that basketball takes you to. It took me winning a gold medal and everything else speaks for itself. Curtis Samuel Jersey . The St. Louis Cardinals were scheduled to arrive in Boston in time for a workout on Tuesday afternoon. Much of Mondays discussion focused on Bostons lineup considerations as the series progresses, specifically when the venue shifts to St. Ryan Kalil Jersey . -- Cordell Cato scored his first goal of the season and the San Jose Earthquakes survived a full half playing a man down to beat FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night. http://www.officialcarolinapantherspro.c...thers-jersey/.m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. Carolina Panthers Jerseys .com) - Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points with eight rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 92-80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Cam Newton Jersey . You can watch coverage on TSN, TSN2 and CTV beginning today at 3pm et/Noon pt. The championships will feature approximately 250 of Canadas best figure skaters in senior, junior and novice as they vie for spots on the national team, international assignments and will act as the final step in the 2014 Olympic qualification process.BEREA, Ohio - Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert is ending his season confused, offended and determined.Nobody said its easy being an NFL rookie.The No. 8 overall pick in this years draft, Gilbert has been a major disappointment, so much so that a few of his teammates were publicly critical of him in recent days, saying he had wasted his first season.Following practice on Friday, Gilbert said he was hurt by some of those sharp remarks and promised to atone for his missteps.Im not mad at anyone about it, I brought it upon myself and I can take that and roll with it, he said. I messed up, but I can promise my teammates Im going to make it right.The Browns used their first pick this year to select the 6-foot, 202-pound Gilbert, a dynamic defender and return specialist at Oklahoma State. The team believed that by putting him on the opposite side of Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden the Browns would have one of the leagues toughest defensive backfields. But it didnt go according to plan as Gilbert made just two starts, was passed on the depth chart by undrafted free agent KWaun Williams and Pierre Desir, a fourth-round pick, and was benched.He didnt perform on the field and had a questionable work ethic away from it.Gilbert refused to get into any specifics about what may have prompted safety Donte Whitner and linebacker Karlos Dansby — two of the teams most respected veterans — to speak out about him. Browns coach Mike Pettine said he didnt have a problem with any teammate giving tough love to another.Im not a person to judge my teammates and put it out there in the media like that, Gilbert said. If I have a problem with somebody, I would address them face to face and thats just all I can say about that.Gilbert said part of the problem could be that hes not outgoing and his quietness may have rubbed others the wrong way. Gilbert felt some of the criticism may have been a little too personal.I think it may have crossed the line a little bit, he said, but at the same time were all here to do the same thing and thats win and provide for our families. So some of the things were right and some of the things couldve been kept to themselves.ddddddddddddilbert would not address if he has been late to meetings.We keep family business in the family, he said.Earlier this week, rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel acknowledged he may have misjudged the transition to the NFL and said he intends to work harder in the off-season. Gilbert agrees with Manziel and that he may have taken some things for granted.Not anymore.I think I came along as the season went on and I think I made some pretty good plays down the stretch that werent really noticed or talked about like the plays that I didnt make that were talked about at the beginning of the season, so its just how things went I guess, he said. Ive just got to come back next season and turn it all around. ... I can assure everyone here that I will work a lot harder, in the off-season and during the season. Thats one promise I can make.Does he want to be great?I will be great, he said.Gilbert said his enthusiasm for playing with the Browns has not been dampened. If anything, hes more determined to show the team he was worthy of a high pick.It definitely sparked a flame inside of myself to want to prove a lot of people wrong and a lot of doubters, he said. Thats going to be one of my main goals next year. I think its just a little, minor setback for a major comeback.NOTES: Versatile CB Buster Skrine, an unrestricted free agent following the season, said he hopes to re-sign with Cleveland. Browns defensive co-ordinator Jim ONeil would like to see that happen. I would love to bring Buster back, he said. Hes one of my favourite guys on the defence. He embodies Play Like a Brown. I dont ever want to let good players walk out the door. ... DL Ahtyba Rubin will not play in Sundays finale because of a left ankle injury. Rubin, who played in his 100th game with Cleveland last week, is also a free agent. ... S Jim Leonhard insists Sunday will be his final game, ending a 10-year NFL career. Getting out there in the fourth quarter knowing that its the last one, Im sure the emotions will hit, he said.___Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '